Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon Lucas, 1852
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper surface of hindwing has yellow-orange eyespot near tail with round black center that is not connected to hindwing margin. Anal cell of hindwing is primarily yellow.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inches (7 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males perch on hilltops and patrol for receptive females. Female lays eggs singly on host plant leaves and flowers. Young caterpillars eat leaves while older ones eat flowers. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from April-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Many species in the parsley family (Apiaceae), and some in the citrus family (Rutaceae).
Adult Food: Not reported.
Habitat: Bare hills, mountains, gardens, fields, vacant lots, and roadsides.
Range: From British Columbia southeast to North Dakota, south to s. California, Arizona, New Mexico; Baja California; Mexico. A rare stray to central Nebraska and eastern North Dakota.
Conservation: Not usually of concern.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 241 - 264 of 1135 verified sightings
Observation date: Apr 09, 2021
Submitted by: guy_incognito
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 10, 2021
Observation date: Apr 06, 2021
Submitted by: sonrisa42
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 07, 2021
Observation date: Apr 06, 2021
Submitted by: Kathy Early
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 06, 2021
Observation date: Jul 05, 2016
Submitted by: Linda Rodgers
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Mar 28, 2021
Observation date: Aug 27, 2017
Submitted by: mbalame99
Region: Clatsop County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Mar 28, 2021
Observation date: Jun 04, 2019
Submitted by: DVL
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 27, 2021
Observation date: Aug 24, 2010
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Glacier County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 12, 2021
Observation date: Jun 29, 2009
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 09, 2021
Observation date: Jun 21, 2009
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 07, 2021
Observation date: Mar 02, 2021
Submitted by: zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 02, 2021
Observation date: Jun 20, 2020
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 01, 2021
Observation date: Feb 24, 2021
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 24, 2021
Observation date: Feb 20, 2021
Submitted by: katelizheaston
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 20, 2021
Observation date: Jun 25, 2017
Submitted by: Shanae
Region: Humboldt County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 06, 2021
Observation date: May 10, 2020
Submitted by: flusteredfly
Region: Gooding County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Feb 02, 2021
Observation date: Jun 27, 2020
Submitted by: flusteredfly
Region: Blaine County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Feb 02, 2021
Observation date: Jul 18, 2020
Submitted by: WYbutterflyer1
Region: Laramie County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 01, 2021
Observation date: Jun 05, 2020
Submitted by: WYbutterflyer1
Region: Albany County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 01, 2021
Observation date: Jun 16, 2017
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 23, 2021
Observation date: May 16, 2016
Submitted by: juniperbug
Region: Ada County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 07, 2020
Observation date: Oct 19, 2020
Submitted by: Kathy Early
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 19, 2020
Observation date: Jul 28, 2020
Submitted by: SVOV
Region: Solano County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 04, 2020
Observation date: Sep 16, 2020
Submitted by: VolvoMatt
Region: Lincoln County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 16, 2020
Observation date: Jun 02, 2020
Submitted by: pnesterenko
Region: El Paso County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 02, 2020
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